REVIEW: Foster the people and Good neighboUrs in oakland
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY ELIJAH CLOWER ☆
FOSTER THEP PEOPLE’S PARADISE STATE OF MIND TOUR stopped at the Fox Theatre in Oakland, delivering a performance that balanced new material with the familiar energy that has defined their sound for over a decade. The night opened with Good Neighbours, the British duo currently supporting the tour. Their set was surprisingly my favorite to edit (from a photographer perspective) as I felt they front-lighted the band a lot better. “Home” and their latest single, “Ripple,” which was the first time they performed it live, “glad we got that one under our belt finally”, said Oli the lead singer, drawing a warm response from the audience. The band and their music I would say are the perfect group to be supporting Foster the People as they really set the tone musically, energetically, and left the stage having made an impression not only on me but everyone there that wasn't familiar with them.
When Foster the People took over, they started strong with Paradise State of Mind’s title track, which set the tone for a show that leaned into the album’s mix of funk, gospel, and jazz influences. Mark Foster’s stage presence was steady, loose, and playful as he danced and had a huge smile through the entire couple of opening songs. The setlist was structured to highlight their evolution, with songs like “Lost in Space” and “Imagination” from the new album blending naturally alongside past hits.
The biggest moments came with the band’s older material. “Helena Beat” and “Coming of Age” were received with erupting cheers, while “Houdini” and “Sit Next to Me” maintained momentum throughout the set. Unsurprisingly, “Pumped Up Kicks” closed the night, played with slight changes in arrangement to keep it fresh while still giving the audience the song they expected.The production was minimal but intentional, with a focus on lighting and atmosphere rather than elaborate visuals. Although like I mentioned before I do wish they front lighted Mark better. The sound mix was clean, making the shifts between electronic elements, live instrumentation, and Foster’s vocals feel balanced.
The performance reinforced their ability to move forward creatively while staying connected to the music that first brought them success. The old material didn’t feel like an afterthought—it was woven into the set in a way that made it clear the band is still evolving. The night wasn’t about nostalgia or trying
